We hope the events you’ll go to during Welcome Week will help you to feel welcome, and to feel part of an inclusive, accepting community where everyone has the right to thrive and be treated with respect. Harassment, bullying, intimidation and discrimination go against all we stand for and will not be tolerated. If you’ve experienced or witnessed any of the above we encourage you to Speak Out and to get the support you might need.

Whoever you are, wherever you come from, you belong in our community. You are welcome here and we will do everything we can to ensure that you are happy and able to participate in all that Exeter can offer.

Whoever you are, wherever you come from, you belong in our community.

You are welcome here, and we will do everything we can to ensure that you are happy and able to participate in all that Exeter University can offer.

Consent Training

The University has a Consent Training module that we strongly encourage all students to take. As soon as you have activated your Exeter IT account, you can access and complete it in the Student EDI Consent training ELE page.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Training

As part of your induction and again once you have your university login, you are also required to complete the short training course on EDI. 

We also offer in-person Bystander training sessions throughout the year. You can book on to these sessions via Handshake and search ‘bystander training’.  

If you would like more information about any of these modules, or if you would like to give feedback, please contact edi@exeter.ac.uk.

Our inclusive community

Being part of an inclusive community gives you the opportunity to meet, study and live with lots of people with different perspectives and experiences. To connect and network we have over 300 student-led societies (all supported by your Students’ Guild); academic subject networks; and celebrations, discussions and events throughout the year.

These are some of the events you can look forward to in Term 1:

  • Bi Visibility Day (23 September)
  • Yom Kippur (11-12 October)
  • Black History Month (October)
  • Hate Crime Awareness Week (12-19 October)
  • Diwali (31 October)
  • Trans Awareness Week (13-19 November)
  • Human Rights Day (10 December)

You can find more events in the EDI Calendar.

Each Faculty has its own faculty-level Wellbeing, Inclusion and Culture Committee (WICC) which meets regularly to monitor and implement equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives. If you would like to get involved, or have ideas on how we can improve our work on inclusion, please do get in touch.

The University of Exeter is proud to have been recognised as an official University of Sanctuary, committed to promoting a culture of welcome, safety and inclusion across our campuses and their wider communities for refugees and asylum seekers. At the Global Festival you will have an incredible opportunity to hear from some of the students who have recently benefited from Sanctuary Scholarships. Check out our Weekly Bulletin emails for further details about the Festival and how you can get involved.

How to report concerns or get support

If you experience or witness any behaviours which are not inclusive (including online behaviour) please report it. You can visit our ‘Speak Out’ website to make a report confidentially and/or anonymously, and to get support.

You can also speak to any member of staff you trust (e.g. your Academic Personal Tutor, Welfare Support team, or a Dignity and Respect Advisor).

Your concerns will be dealt with confidentially. No worry is too small to talk about and the earlier you let someone know, the more we are able to support you.

You can also read all about the University’s policies, strategies and initiatives in this area.

Everyone is welcome

Building friendships with people from different countries, backgrounds and with different perspectives on life is an essential part of the university experience. Be inspired by the stories of diverse friendships at the University of Exeter in the video at the top of this section. We are one community, many voices – everyone is welcome!


Last modified: Wednesday, 21 August 2024, 4:20 PM